Busy Times

It seems we are always up to something extra at Guardant Jiu Jitsu these days.

Gedo, Trevor and Braedon receiving their grades

Not long ago it was the road trip to the competition in Kapiti then just this last weekend I travelled to Taranaki for an in house competition and catch up at the Southern Tribes team  headquarters.
Last night was the end of the 2nd term so I held a grading for the kids who train.
All did well and from what I've seen here and on my travels, the future of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in New Zealand is in safe hands.

Southern Tribes - Gracie Barra inhouse competition 6/7/2014

Team Roadtrip for NZ Grappler Tournament

The 21st of June saw a car load of us make a trip to the Kapiti coast for a NZ Grappler regional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament. It was a first tournament for most members of the team and I was very happy with everyone's performance. Gedo took silver and Jason took bronze in their divisions. Roll on the Nationals in August where we will fight under the team banner "Southern Tribes Aotearoa".

Team Road Trip for Bruno Alves Seminar

Robson and Jason from our team came with me to the Kapiti coast recently for a Bruno Alves seminar hosted by New Zealand Grappler . It was an awesome experience for all of us, learning from a current BJJ world champion.
I look forward to more road trips to seminars and competitions as a team in the near future.

Always learning

Always keen to learn and keep up to date with my Jiu Jitsu. I've been making sure I take advantage of seminars and bring home the knowledge for the rest of the team.

First was the Gracie Barra Aotearoa camp in Auckland with World Champion, Bruno Alves. That seminar was huge with so much game changing technique taught.

Next was the first ever New Zealand Grappler seminar in Paraparaumu with Gracie Barra NZ head coach, Steve Oliver. Starting with some handy takedowns then some modern Jiu Jitsu,  some grappling specific MMA training then no-gi rolling.

Being part of Southern Tribes - Gracie Barra NZ has opened up a world of opportunities for myself and the rest of the Guardant Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team.

Representing Southern Tribes - Gracie Barra at the first New Zealand Grappler Seminar
in Paraparaumu. left to right: Allan Welsh, Wayne Perry, Vaughan Antonio

Photo with Gracie Barra head coach, Steve Oliver after the first NZ Grappler seminar

Gracie Barra represented well at the first NZ Grappler seminar

Seminar with World Champion Bruno Alves.

Four new Gracie Barra black belts at the 2014 Camp.
It was awesome sharing the mats with 8 Black belts.

Selfie with my Professor, Pina Simpson at the Gracie Barra Camp.